"Two gentlemen, clad in grey doublets, are in it."
"Margaret, 'tis Barton and Falconer—thou seest his red feather now, Sybilla," said Euphemia, as she flushed again with pleasure.
"They will bring us pretty, pretty presents, will they not?" said the younger girls, clapping their hands.
"Father Zuill promised you each a box of sweetmeats," said Margaret, with one of her sad kind smiles.
"Captain Barton promised me a silver collar from Bruges," said little Elizabeth.
"And David Falconer promised me a carcanet of pearls, with a hood and veil," added Beatrix, who was a year younger.
"Thou—child?" said Euphemia; "and what would you do with a carcanet, a hood and veil?"
"Wear them at mass, and in the Highgaitt, to be sure," retorted the little dame, testily; "no one fell in love with you, sister Euphemia, till you exchanged the coif for a hood and veil."
"Nor with Sybilla, either," added Beatrix, making common cause against the elders; "and as for poor sister Margaret, no one has loved her yet."
Lady Margaret grew ghastly pale, and turned away. Sybilla, who did not perceive this emotion, laughed; but Euphemia, who had now the place of mother over them all, said gravely,